Join the Orbit Newsletter

Orbit acquires self-published ebook bestseller

Orbit is pleased to announce that it has acquired rights to publish the Riyria Revelations series by self-published author Michael J. Sullivan. Orbit will be publishing the complete series in three volumes in consecutive months in Fall/Winter 2011-2012. The first volume, Theft of Swords, will be published in November 2011; the second volume, Rise of Empire, in December 2011, and the final volume, Heir of Novron, in January 2012.

Michael J. Sullivan has already self-published the series in ebook and print-on-demand editions, and each volume has been prominent on the ebook fantasy bestseller charts.

Senior Editor Devi Pillai says: “This is the kind of fabulous new adventure fantasy that readers of Terry Brooks and Brent Weeks can fall in love with. Michael really delivers a great story that keeps to the idea of great epic fantasy while taking on fantasy clichés and having fun with the idea of two thieves caught in the wrong place, at the wrong time. I read the first book – and I was hooked.”

Michael J. Sullivan says: “”I couldn’t be happier to have The Riyria Revelations released by Orbit. Of all the fantasy imprints, they have shown an unsurpassed eye for quality and I’m both excited and humbled to be included in a select group of authors as talented as Brent Weeks, Gail Carriger, and so many others.”

Born in Detroit, Michigan, Michael J. Sullivan has lived in Vermont, North Carolina, and Virginia. He worked as a commercial artist and illustrator, founding his own advertising agency in 1996, which he closed in 2005 to pursue writing full-time. He currently resides in Fairfax, Virginia with his wife and three children.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, February 22nd, 2011 at 4:33 pm and is filed under Deals and Deliveries, Orbit UK, Orbit US.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
Both comments and pings are currently closed.

Elizabeth

February 23, 2011at 4:52 am

This is great news – Michael’s Riyria Revelations rocketed to the top of my favorite lists and I’ve been on pins and needles for Book #6. Don’t know what I’m going to do as I was expecting the April release!!

Still, I’m glad to see he’ll have a wider audience and in general I love Orbit’s choices in writers.

Big Congrats to Michael and the Riyria Revelations!!! I’ve been reading these books as they come out and they really are ones to get into. :) It’s wonderful to come across an author who’s books just keep getting better and better each step, and raising the bar along the way. These are just that! Wonderful reads.

Congrats Michael & Orbit!!!

Brian Franks

February 25, 2011at 3:56 pm

Will there be a printed version of just Percepliquis using Michael’s exceptional artwork? Will it still be released in April? I’ve absolutely loved this seris – and even gave away dozens of copies to my friends for birthday gifts and christmas – I really don’t want to have an uncompleted set. Please…please…please tell me we’ll be able to the last in the series to match with the others…I’d gladly by the whole set of new ones as well but I really don’t want to see my collection missing just 1 book!!

I am the head of a rather large book club. We have been reading along with Michael’s books since the very beginning. I had Percepliquis on the calendar for our June discussion. Will there be a print and e- release of the book by mid-May so that my club members can have in time to prepare for the discussion?

I have to say that, as the book club leader and as a fan of Michael’s, I’m feeling a little screwed by this whole big publisher thing. Is there a reason why Orbit cannot or will not publish Percepliquis on its own, in paperback form, with Michael’s artwork so that those of us who have been around from the start can complete our collections? And is there a reason why we will have to wait until the end of the year to read it? I know that Michael was on track to have the book released by mid-April, so I’m sure there’s not all that much left to do to get it ready for publication. I believe Orbit owes it to the people who have supported the series to publish what we were expecting.

Michelle

February 25, 2011at 4:47 pm

Congratulations to Michael J. Sullivan and the Riyria Revelations! I’m thrilled to see Michael’s creation will gain more attention and much deserved recognition. The series is wonderful! I typically read a different genre and only started this series because of a book club, but I was sold on the series by the end of the very first chapter and have been a faithful follower ever since. I cannot wait until #6 is out. Please don’t make us loyal readers wait until Jan 2012. I was already counting down the weeks until the previously announced April release date. They are such great books, I must know how it ends. Congrats Michael and Orbit!

Congratulations to Michael Sullivan and Orbit. I’ve been following his Riyria Revelations for a couple of years now, and was very much looking forward to the final installment in the sixth book, previously revealed as Percepliquis. Please consider publishing the sixth and final book so that those of us with the first five can complete our set. I do plan to purchase the re-released trilogy published by Orbit as well.

Teri

February 25, 2011at 7:55 pm

I too was anxiously awaiting Michael’s final book. Orbit, I hope you realize the legion of fans who have been reading, raving about, supporting, and sharing this great series since its inception. I feel it’s important you recognize us fans and followers of Michael’s and hope you agree that we deserve to have our series completed in the original publication format. Please do not to leave us hanging for nearly another year to find out how it ends! And also allow us to complete the sets we’ve already started!

Beth

February 27, 2011at 7:04 pm

This is great news for Michael and well deserved. I’m glad Orbit will allow more people to find out about Michael and his Riyria Revelations. These books have been the kind you stay up all night to read and wait anxiously for the next in the series.

I really am looking forward to Percepliquis and hope that Orbit understands that Michael’s loyal followers need to finally get the answers and conclusions we’ve been anxiously awaiting without significant delay.

Thanks Orbit for recognizing a good writer, and please publish the final book soon!

Lizka

February 28, 2011at 9:26 am

Please add me to the legion of fans who would be ever so grateful if you would publish the sixth book with Michael’s artwork so that I can complete my set. I plan to purchase the trilogy for other book lovers when it comes out, but it would be outstanding if you would conset to this.

Heather

February 28, 2011at 10:44 am

I am very happy for Michael that he has been picked up by such a large publisher!!

However, like many other folks that have posted here, I am VERY disappointed that a- I’m going to have an incomplete series of books (being forced to purchase a combined Book 3 rather than a stand-alone Book 6) and b- I have to wait a year for the end of the story that was originally forthcoming in just a few months while these books are reprinted and bound to meet this trilogy-obsession-driven publishing. The final book should at least have a stand-alone release for those who have loyally been following and reading these books for several years!!

Carlissa

March 2, 2011at 7:43 am

Congratulations to Michael, the Riyria Revelations, and Orbit! I have been following this series since I found The Crown Conspiracy on Podiobooks. I now have the first 5 books as ebooks and really love this series! I am looking forward to reading Percepliquis and hope that a separate ebook version of it will be made available.

TD

March 2, 2011at 9:41 am

Hi Orbit, Michael and Robin,

Thanks for working out a deal so quickly and for being so generous towards your readers. 9 months wait will be a breeze compared to the possibility of never being able to own the original print and art. Thanks to all of you.

Charlotte Anne

March 2, 2011at 11:07 am

I want to thank you all for allowing Michael Sullivan to sell a few copies of the original covers of the final book in the series so that all us fans can have a complete set. I have a set for myself and one for my nephew. I think he will be excited to have the complete set, as well. Chances are I will buy the hardbound books when they are published as well. Thank you again. I am sure many more than will post here are very thankful, as well.

Teri

March 2, 2011at 11:13 am

Yay! Thanks so much for doing a limited edition print copy of Percepliquis for Michael’s legion of current fans! I know we’re all excited to be able to complete our sets and even more so to find out how it all ends!

meleah

March 2, 2011at 11:23 am

Thank you so much for picking up this wonderful author and his amazing stories. And a huge thank you for including a limited run of Percepliquis with Michael’s original cover.

Chris Schroeder

March 2, 2011at 1:34 pm

Thank you for being so understanding with us, the fans of Michael’s self-published works and allowing us to purchase the final book in the series (AND with Michael’s artwork to boot). It’s not often that you find “big businesses” that care about what the public thinks. Your actions will prod me into doing more research and seeing what other works that you publish I may enjoy reading.

I’d like to add my thanks to those already expressed here. I truly appreciate Orbit’s willingness to honor the requests of Michael’s legion of fans! We’re looking forward to reading Percepliquis early next year. Well done, Orbit!

Andrea

March 2, 2011at 5:04 pm

Thank you so much for working something out for Michael’s fans. Michael is a wonderful author and is very good to his fans. I’m very excited that you signed him on as one of your authors. I’m really looking forward to his future novels. Thanks again.

Lizka

March 2, 2011at 5:37 pm

BIG Thank you to Orbit for allowing and facilitating the limited printing of Book 6 on it’s own (and including Michael’s art work). I know you didn’t have to (and are increasing the complexity of the publishing process by doing so). I won’t forget this. MUCH APPRECITED!!!

Heather

March 2, 2011at 6:13 pm

Yay!! Though I am a little disappointed that I have to wait to find out what happens, I am willing to wait. I am satisfied with the compromise and VERY grateful that I’ll get to have a stand alone book 6!! Thanks for listening to the fans and working with Robin and Michael to make this happen!! :)

I would also like to publically thank Orbit for being so flexible in accomodating the existing fan base. I know it is not easy for them to do this but it is the type of “out of the box” thinking that just goes to show that Orbit was the right choice in picking a home for Michael’s Riyria Revelations. As you can see from the posts…you’ve made a lot of people happy and that good will will extend not only to sales for Michael’s work but other Orbit titles as well.

It is with great relief that I heard thet we´ll be able to get a single e–bok version of “Percepliquis”. I´m looking forward to getting the printed version of the complete series as bundled by Orbit as soon as it is available, though. It would be also wonderful, if we could pre-order the e-book version of “percepliquis”.

Heather Myst

March 5, 2011at 10:17 am

You have made a wise decision Orbit. The Riyria books are excellent and I also want to thank you for making book six available in the original format. Congratulations Michael and I am really looking forward to see what you have for us after Percepliquis.

Matt

The pre-order pages are posted for Theft of Swords, Rise of Empire, and Heir of Novron. I’ve not seen a page yet for pre-ordering Percepliquis in ebook form. For those interested in the printed version of Percepliquis, send an email to riyria6@gmail.com to get on a list to be notified when it is availlabe. It will only be available for a short time.